When Katt Williams sat down with Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay in early 2024, nobody expected the internet to essentially break for the next 72 hours. It wasn't just a regular interview. It was an absolute scorched-earth campaign. While Katt took aim at plenty of people, his comments about Steve Harvey were particularly pointed, personal, and, honestly, pretty brutal.
He didn't just call him unfunny. He went after his origin story, his acting range, and even his hair.
If you've been living under a rock or just need a refresher on the timeline, Katt basically accused Steve Harvey of being a serial "plagiarist" of other people's lives and careers. It started a firestorm that's still smoldering in the comedy world today.
The "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" Allegation
The meat of the beef—at least the professional side—centered on Steve Harvey’s self-titled sitcom from the 90s. Katt claimed that Steve basically "stole" the entire premise from Mark Curry.
For context, Mark Curry starred in Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, where he played a former basketball player turned teacher. Katt told Shannon Sharpe that Steve went and watched Mark Curry’s show, saw the success, and then magically appeared in The Steve Harvey Show playing... a teacher.
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"The same Steve that went to go watch Mark Curry do his whole sitcom and then stole everything Mark Curry had," Katt said during the interview. He pointed out the similarities in the setups, implying Steve didn't have an original bone in his body when it came to television development. This wasn't a new rumor in the industry, but Katt saying it on a platform with 50 million views made it "the" topic of the week.
The Movie Star (Or Lack Thereof) Critique
One of the more savage moments in the interview involved Katt mocking Steve’s acting ability. He didn't hold back. Katt essentially argued that Steve Harvey is a "host" because he doesn't have the "range" to be a legitimate film star.
Katt did this hilarious (and mean) impression of Steve, mimicking him saying, "I didn't want to be a movie star."
According to Katt, that's a lie. He claimed that of the 30,000 scripts floating around Hollywood every year, not a single one is looking for a "country bumpkin" who looks like "Mr. Potato Head." His words, not mine! He argued that Steve found his lane in Family Feud and daytime TV because he simply couldn't hack it in scripted cinema where you have to, you know, actually act.
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The Bernie Mac Betrayal
This part actually got a bit somber. Katt accused Steve (and Cedric the Entertainer) of "hating on" the late, great Bernie Mac.
The Original Kings of Comedy tour is legendary, but Katt suggested there was deep-seated jealousy behind the scenes. He claimed that Steve tried to undermine Bernie because Bernie was the clear breakout star of that group. Katt’s take was that Steve couldn't handle someone being funnier or more naturally charismatic than him, leading to a rift that many fans didn't realize was that deep until Katt aired it out.
Steve Harvey’s Reaction: From "Monkey Ass" to Regret
Steve didn't stay silent for long. At first, he took the "tough guy" route. During a talk at Invest Fest 2024, Steve joked to a crowd that he used to be a fighter and could "knock your perm straight out of your head." It was a clear jab at Katt’s signature hairstyle.
However, by late 2025, Steve’s tone shifted significantly. In an interview on The Pivot Podcast, he admitted he probably shouldn't have said anything at all.
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- The Joke: Steve claimed his "knock you out" comments were just him being a comedian in front of a live crowd.
- The Regret: He admitted that responding "belittled" his own brand.
- The "Leagues" Comment: Steve said, "We’re not in the same league, dog. We shooting at two different baskets."
It was a classic Steve Harvey response—half "I’m better than this" and half "don't mess with me." He eventually chalked Katt’s rant up to "grief and jealousy," suggesting that Katt was lashed out because the people he was attacking had things he wanted.
Why This Matters for Comedy Fans
Honestly, the Katt Williams vs. Steve Harvey saga is about more than just two guys talking trash. It exposed a massive divide in the Black comedy world. On one side, you have the "establishment"—the Kings of Comedy types who moved into hosting, mainstream movies, and "clean" family-friendly brands. On the other side, you have Katt, who prides himself on being the "underground" truth-teller who never "sold out."
Katt also touched on the "man unit" (hairpiece) situation, which seems trivial but was part of his larger point: that everything about the mainstream comedy "elite" is manufactured.
Whether you believe Katt is a "bitter" comedian or a "truth-teller" depends on who you ask. Mark Curry has actually backed up some of Katt's claims in the past, specifically regarding the joke theft allegations, which gives Katt’s rant a bit more weight than your standard celebrity gossip.
Actionable Insights for Navigating the Drama
If you want to actually understand the "receipts" Katt was talking about, here is what you should do next:
- Watch the Mark Curry "Mike & Donny Show" Interview: This is where Mark Curry originally detailed how Steve allegedly took his material. It provides the context Katt was referencing.
- Compare the Sitcoms: If you have some time, watch an episode of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992) and The Steve Harvey Show (1996). Look at the character dynamics—specifically the "lead teacher" archetype.
- Check Out "The Original Kings of Comedy" Documentary: Watch Bernie Mac's set versus Steve Harvey's set. You can see the difference in energy and why Katt might argue there was a power struggle for the "top" spot.
- Ignore the Social Media Clips: Most of the 30-second TikTok clips take the quotes out of context. To get the full picture, you really have to listen to the first 45 minutes of the Club Shay Shay episode where Katt lays out the "lineage" of the beef.